Jeremiah 15:12
Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?
Original Language Analysis
הֲיָרֹ֨עַ
break
H7489
הֲיָרֹ֨עַ
break
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
1 of 5
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
בַּרְזֶ֛ל
Shall iron
H1270
בַּרְזֶ֛ל
Shall iron
Strong's:
H1270
Word #:
2 of 5
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
בַּרְזֶ֛ל
Shall iron
H1270
בַּרְזֶ֛ל
Shall iron
Strong's:
H1270
Word #:
3 of 5
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
Historical Context
Babylon's military superiority was legendary. Their iron weapons and siege technology represented the height of ancient military capability. Judah's attempts at resistance proved futile, as Jeremiah predicted.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the iron metaphor teach about the futility of resisting God's ordained judgments?
- How should recognition of God's sovereignty over nations affect political and military strategies?
- When is submission to divinely-ordained judgment wiser than resistance?
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Analysis & Commentary
A rhetorical question emphasizing impossibility: 'Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?' The 'northern iron' refers to Babylon—superior in strength like high-quality iron from the north. Regular iron (Judah) cannot break northern iron (Babylon). This illustrates that Judah cannot resist Babylon's invasion through military means. The underlying message: God has ordained this judgment; resistance is futile. This drives home Reformed theology's emphasis on God's absolute sovereignty over nations and historical events. When God decrees judgment through a nation, opposing it is like trying to break superior metal with inferior.